Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I adopted a 3 yr old Yorkie female and she is extremely stressed out. The vet gave her doggie downers and she seems to be handling them ok but she is still acting extremely shy. She was in a houshold with another dog. We have a 10 week old female Bichon. They seem to get along ok, and are getting to know one another. So on top of the Yorkie being shy and stressed, she is now MOUNTING my female puppy. Accourding to the previous owner, she has only been through 1 heat and has never gone thru again. What is this about? How do I stop it??? My baby Bichon thinks it's play time and SHE is now doing it as well!! Please help.

>>I adopted a 3 yr old Yorkie female and she is extremely stressed out. The vet gave her doggie downers and she seems to be handling them ok but she is still acting extremely shy. She was in a houshold with another dog. We have a 10 week old female Bichon. They seem to get along ok, and are getting to know one another. So on top of the Yorkie being shy and stressed, she is now MOUNTING my female puppy. Accourding to the previous owner, she has only been through 1 heat and has never gone thru again. What is this about? How do I stop it??? My baby Bichon thinks it's play time and SHE is now doing it as well!! Please help.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Just gently interrupt the mounting. It's not a big deal. It would be helpful for your young dogs to have a chance to play with a friendly young dog of the opposite sex. Seems to help them get their sexual orientation normal for later. But it is also how dogs play. Don't make a big deal of it, because to them it is not.
-----
Kathy Diamond Davis, author, "Therapy Dogs: Training Your Dog to Reach Others," 2nd edition, and the free Canine Behavior Series at www.veterinaryforum.com

Thank You Kathy. When the baby does it, she is just playing (10 week old Bichon). Do you think it's because the Yorkie is 3 and has never really been socialized? (which is the reason the owner gave her up, wanted a more social life for her).

Has the yorkie been spayed?
-----
Melody/PHFasDog
Email me at PHFasDog

My furkids:
Shadow, Jadzia and Lyta.
Kira waiting the bridge.

Dogs come into our lives, and too quickly go leaving pawprints on our hearts, and we will never be quite the same again.

No. I just brought her home on Friday and the previous owner said she has only been through 1 heat. Per her vet, she is far too small to have babies and that it probably isn't possible for her to, that's why the other owners didn't spay her. I'm not going to take any chances and do plan on getting this done. Do you think this amy be the issue?

>>No. I just brought her home on Friday and the previous owner said she has only been through 1 heat. Per her vet, she is far too small to have babies and that it probably isn't possible for her to, that's why the other owners didn't spay her. I'm not going to take any chances and do plan on getting this done. Do you think this amy be the issue?

>>>>>>>>>>>>>

She could be in heat, and her being intact does make mounting more likely, yes. Spaying is for reasons beyond preventing pregnancy. If your veterinarian has doubts about spaying this female, it might be due to concerns about anesthesia. Consider having a surgical specialist do it, with pre-anesthesia blood work, and special facilities to give her more support for the procedure.
-----
Kathy Diamond Davis, author, "Therapy Dogs: Training Your Dog to Reach Others," 2nd edition, and the free Canine Behavior Series at www.veterinaryforum.com

I would take Kathy's advice and see about getting her spayed by a specialist. You don't want her to accidentally get pregnant.

Good luck with her!

Just because she is too small to give birth without complications does not meet that she could not become pregnant. Also, mounting is often a dominant behaviour and we do not allow this behavior with puppies. I would give her a couple of weeks to settle in, and then begin taking her to an obedience class as soon as possible. It will not only build her confidence but will help you to bond with her. Good luck!
-----
Tania & Chloe